The Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) is restructuring its criminal investigation operations within the Lisbon Metropolitan Command. All local station investigations will now be coordinated by the Criminal Investigation Division (Divisão de Investigação Criminal or DIC), which will serve as the primary contact point for the Public Prosecutor's Office. The transition is expected to be finalized by October.
PSP restructures criminal investigation system in Lisbon
Thursday, 14 May 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's national civilian police force, founded in 1867. Responsible for defending Republican democracy and safeguarding internal security and citizens' rights, the PSP polices major cities—Lisbon, Porto, Faro—and large urban areas, covering only 4% of Portugal's territory but roughly half the population. Led by a National Director under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its approximately 21,500 officers handle preventive policing, crime investigation, public order, airport security, diplomatic protection, private security regulation, firearms licensing, and border control (since 2023).
PSP vs. GNR: The PSP is civilian with police-focused training and urban jurisdiction, while the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is military (gendarmerie) with military training, covering 96% of Portugal's rural and suburban territory. Both share core public safety missions but differ fundamentally in nature, training, and geographic responsibility.
The Criminal Investigation Division (Divisão de Investigação Criminal or DIC) is a specialized unit within the Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP). It centralizes and coordinates investigative efforts for criminal cases, ensuring that police stations within a specific metropolitan area follow standardized procedures.
